Press Releases
07/30/2019
ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG AND COMMISSIONER SEAGULL ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATION INTO JUUL LABS
Civil Investigative Demand Seeks Information on Health Claims Made by JUUL
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull have opened an investigation into JUUL Labs, Inc. regarding health claims made by the company.
JUUL electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have never been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation device. Connecticut's Civil Investigative Demand seeks to probe to what extent JUUL has marketed itself as an effective smoking cessation device despite lack of FDA approval.
"JUUL has never been approved as an effective smoking cessation device—in fact, there is mounting evidence to the contrary. Our investigation will seek to determine whether JUUL is making health claims without FDA approval in violation of the law," said Attorney General Tong. "We will not prejudge the outcome of this investigation, but stand ready to act to protect public health should we uncover any violation of law."
Enterprise Markets Teams
In 2018, JUUL formed its "Enterprise Markets Team" which, according to news reports, was tasked with forming new agreements with health plans, health providers, employers and the public sector.
The Civil Investigative Demand seeks information related to the formation of the Enterprise Markets Team, marketing materials, information disseminated by the team related to JUUL's effectiveness as a cessation tool for adult smokers, among other inquiries.
Promotional Pricing
JUUL provides promotional pricing offers to certain consumer groups. The Civil Investigative Demand seeks information as to how and why JUUL selects its targeted marketing groups, and any measures the company has taken to limit its targeted marketing to current smokers over the age of 21. The CID requests information regarding how many Connecticut consumers purchased JUUL products using such promotional offers, as well as information JUUL may have retained regarding whether promotional pricing consumers are or were current or former smokers and/or ENDS users.
Click here to download a copy of the Civil Investigative Demand.
Assistant Attorneys General Amor Rosario, Heather Wilson, Jonathan Blake, Michael Wertheimer, Consumer Protection Department Head, and Joseph Chambers, Finance Department Head are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
860-808-5324 (office)
Consumer Inquiries:
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attorney.general@ct.gov